PM Case studies (not explicitly on the test) Flashcards
4 case studies
- Wilson 1964-70 + 1974-6
- Thatcher 1979-90
- Blair 1997-2007
- Cameron 2010-6
Wilson’ size of parliamentary majority ?
- 1966 = 98
- Other elections never exceeded 4
State of party when Wilson became PM ?
- Gaitskill had unexpectedly died
- Wanted to modernise Britain and appeal to a female and younger demographic
Key policies of Wilson
- Sexual offences act 1967 - decriminalisation of certain homosexual acts
- Abolition of the death penalty 1967
- High taxation (the top bracket paid 83% and 1975 equal pay act
- Wanted to reduce discrimination against women
- 1967 - Legalised abortions for the first time
- Joined the EEC and Open university
- Comprehensive schools and decolonisation
Leadership policy of Wilson ?
- Insecure with his leadership so put the chancellor in a power struggle
- Played people off against each other
Important events that effected the leadership of Wilson
- Vietnam war (refused to allow the use of British combat troops)
- 1967 : devaluation of the British pound
How did Wilson leave office ?
- 1970 lost the general election
- 1976 as a result of a period of economic crisis that hit EU and he resigned
When was Thatcher in power ?
- 1979-90
Thatcher’s majority ?
- 1979 : 43
- 1983 : 144
- 1987 : 102
State of the Party when Thatcher came to power
- Divided between the wets and dries (one nation tories and the neo-liberals)
Thatcher’s key policies
- Reduce welfare programmes
- Section 28 1988
- reduce the power of trade unions
- free market economics
- establish the Trident programme
- privatisation
Thatcher’s leadership style ?
- Uncompromising politics and leadership style
- Didn’t use cabinet
- Strong leader and known as the Iron Lady
Important events during Thatcher’s rule
- Mining strikes
- Troubles in Northern Ireland
- Falklands war
- Poll tax riots
How did Thatcher leave power ?
- She lost the leadership of the conservative party when she was challenged
- Her cabinet lost faith in her and her foreign secretary set her up to resign
Tony Blair dates in office
- 1997-2007
Tony Blair size of majority
- 1997 : 179
- 2001 : 167
- 2005 : 66
State of Party when Blair became PM
- A reformed New Labour (moving to the centre)
Blair’s policies
Civil partnership act 2004 1997 House of Lords reform act Human rights act 1998 Scottish and Welsh devolution keep tax rates the same as tory chancellors Media management "spin"
Leadership style of Blair
- Strong leader
- Didn’t use cabinet + sofa politics
Important events during Blair’s time in office
2003 - involvement in the Iraq war 9/11 attacks 7/7 attacks Israel - Lebanon war 1998 - Good friday agreement
How did Blair leave power ?
- 2006- Israel - Lebanon war saw a large labour rebellion over his support for Bush and he resigned on June 27th 2007
Cameron’s time in office
- 2010-16
Size of Cameron parliamentary majority
- 2010 : No majority
- 2015 : 12
State of party when Cameron became PM
looked to remodel the Conservative party with a new agenda
demoralised due to being out of power for 13 years
unstable
Financial crash and recession
Cameron’s key policies
extend deport first appeal later 2013 same sex marriage legislation 2011 extend police powers retain trident big society balance the books and process of austerity and welfare cuts Brexit referendum
Leadership style of Cameron
- Used cabinet lots, less presidential and more cooperative due to the 2014 Scottish independence referendum
Important events during Cameron’s tenure
EU referendum financial crisis aftermath intervention in Libya London Olympics 2014 Scottish independence referendum syrian air strikes
